CONVERSIONS

Conversions are changes to an existing figure. The change may be as minor as a different cap badge or different color paint, in order to portray other units than what the original figure was designed as. Conversions may also be very complex; using clippers, solder, epoxy, files, and parts from other figures to create an entirey different figure. Most of my conversions fall in between these extremes --- generally a change of heads or headgear, filing full trousers to portray leggings (gaiters), and alterations of pose by changing arms, weapons, or the angle of head and arms.

Here are just a few to start, more will come soon.

U.S.Army 1890 This figure is made from Civil War marching infantry, cast from a CASTINGS mold; kepi head clipped off, hole drilled, with a spiked helmet head from the Prince August Molds line of castings epoxied in, and painted in the appropriate uniform. This is an easy conversion, try one yourself! Makes a nice single or group, an unusual look for American troops.

Japanese Infantry 1900-1905 This figure is made from Civil War marching infantry; kepi head clipped off, hole drilled, with a visor cap head from the Prince August Molds line of castings trimmed & epoxied in. The bottom portion of the trousers are filed to create leggings. Painted in the appropriate uniform. Order one, or try it yourself. Makes a nice single or group of either Boxer Rebellion campaign or 1905 War with Russia. I have already seen this conversion successfully completed and sold on eBay!

Try some converting of your own. You will gain a lot of experience, learn quite a bit (you've got to research to create a proper figure), have a lot of fun, and you will end up with a unique, one-of-a- kind figure for your collection. See my list of CASTINGS for some potential conversions. Good luck!

Gary P. Phillips

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